Located in the centre of the Collon, Slane and Lobinstown triangle Slive Breagh is on the farm of local man, Michael Meade. Slieve Breagh "is one of the most important archaeological sites, not only in Meath, but Ireland’ according to Prof. George Eogan U.C.D., who delivered a talk on the subject for the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society recently. Eogan detailed the history of Slieve Bre
agh and its huge signifigance and importance to archaeology. The site ‘was unknown’ until the 1940's when Professor O'Riordain ‘noticed a cluster of sites on this hill,’ .
‘His students then carried out a thorough survey and recorded 30 monuments on the site.’
Prof. Eogan went on to reval that in 1956, a survey, organised by Prof. O'Riordain recorded a further 32 sites and in 1960-61, his former students carried out ‘a limited programme of excavations which revealed very exciting results. Findings included pottery, flint, and various stone-made implements.
‘It was assumed that the monuments dated to the Bronze Age but the evidence showed they went back to the Neolithic Age. Slieve Breagh dates back to 3000 B.C.,’
‘Two or three circular houses were discovered. I would certainly say there were people living here, coming and going, from Neolithic to early Christian times. It was known in times past as The Kingdom of Brega.’
One of the most interesting features of Slieve Breagh, Mr Eogan said, was that ‘the monuments are clustered very close to each other. There's a great sequence of sites here. We can take it that Slieve Breagh was one of the key sites of early Ireland.
‘There's a varied collection of earthworks. The earliest monument is a round mound and another probably served as an important tribal centre of Iron Age Ireland,’ he explained. Mr Eogan drew a comparison between Slieve Breagh and the Hill of Tara.
‘It's interesting that in the main complex of Tara, there is also a hillfort. While there it is in the centre, part of the main complex, here it is just on the outside.’
While none of these earthwoks have been excavated, work could provide a huge amount of new information, he said.
‘A whole sequence of cultures could be buried under this site. Surely there's a whole invisible archaeological landscape that exists here.
‘There is possibly an Iron Age burial site here,’ he added.
‘It is one of the highest points in Meath, second to Lough Crew in Oldcastle and it commands one of the most extensive views in the county.
‘It's one of the most outstanding archaeological sites, not only in Ireland, but Europe,’ he said. On a good day, many landmarks are visible from the site and include Loughanleigh hills, Slieve Gullion, Mourne Mountains, Newgrange and the Dublin, Wicklow Hills. Telltown, 14 countys in all. Tours can be arranged through contacting the Meade family.
